Ryan Johnson: The Orphan Spirit - Breaking Free and Embracing Sonship

He Doesn't Leave Us, We Leave Him

"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him." (Romans 8:14–17 NASB1995)

The concept of the orphan spirit is something many people struggle with, both in the Body of Christ and the world at large. This spirit creates feelings of abandonment, isolation, and alienation. It convinces us that we are alone, unloved, and unworthy of connection both with other people and God.

This issue traces back to the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve chose disobedience, sin entered the world, creating separation between God and humanity. Although God is merciful and desires closeness with His children, the orphan spirit often isolates people, believing they must navigate life alone.

However, the truth is God never leaves us... we leave Him. He waits patiently for us to return, always ready to forgive and restore.

What Is the Orphan Spirit?

The orphan spirit fosters insecurities, rejection, and a deep longing for approval. It often manifests in those who have experienced abandonment or relational wounds.

People influenced by this spirit may...

• Struggle with self-worth and seek validation through performance or achievements

• Fear intimacy and avoid vulnerability

• Operate with independence, avoiding genuine connection

• Feel jealous of others' success or overly competitive

• Compensate for feelings of inadequacy by overworking or seeking material possessions

This spirit is not limited to personal lives; it can infiltrate Church leadership and ministry. Leaders driven by an unhealed orphan spirit may use others to validate their worth, inadvertently causing harm to the very people they are called to serve.

The Key to Freedom: SONSHIP

Romans 8 reminds us that we are no longer slaves to fear. Through Christ, we have received the spirit of adoption, enabling us to cry out to God as "Abba, Father."

The spirit of adoption replaces the orphan spirit, allowing us to embrace our identity as sons and daughters of God. (Photo via Unsplash)

This transformation brings...

• Security in knowing we are loved and valued by the Father

• Freedom from performance-based living

• Confidence in our place within God's family

• Healing from the wounds of abandonment and rejection

Ephesians 1:5–6 (TPT) beautifully illustrates this truth: "For it was always in His perfect plan to adopt us as His delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One... for the same love He has for the Beloved One, Jesus, He has for us..."

Recognizing the Orphan Spirit

How can you tell if the orphan spirit is influencing your life? Here are some key signs:

1. Competition and a Need to Stand Out

Spiritual orphans feel unworthy and seek validation through competition and achievements. They hide weaknesses, perceive others' strengths as threats, and crave attention.

2. Isolation or Independence

Orphans feel they don't belong, leading to withdrawal or a go-it-alone mentality. They reject interdependence and often avoid deeper connections.

3. Fear and Insecurity

Orphans lack confidence in their place within God's family, leading to territorial behavior and a constant need for reassurance.

4. Performance Orientation

Orphans work tirelessly to earn love or approval, judging others' performance harshly and fearing failure.

Steps to Healing

Healing from the orphan spirit begins with acknowledging the problem. The journey to freedom involves:

1. Encountering the Father's Love

True healing comes when we experience the depth of God's love, tangibly. This encounter roots us in our identity as His children and replaces fear with security.

2. Recognizing and Repenting

Confess the ways you've embraced the attitudes of the orphan spirit. Renounce its influence and surrender to God's love and leadership.

3. Breaking Generational Curses

Pray to break any generational ties to abandonment or rejection. Declare the power of Christ's blood over your life and family.

4. Embracing Sonship

Live as a secure child of God. Celebrate others, foster healthy relationships, and trust in God's faithfulness. (Photo via Unsplash)

A Prayer for Freedom

Father God,

I come to You, acknowledging the ways I've been influenced by the orphan spirit. Forgive me for the times I've doubted Your love or sought validation through performance. Heal the wounds in my heart caused by rejection and abandonment.

I renounce the orphan spirit and its hold over my life. By the power of Jesus' blood, I break every generational curse tied to this spirit. Father, root me in Your love and teach me to live as Your beloved child.

Help me to embrace my identity in You and reflect Your love to those around me. Thank You for adopting me into Your family and calling me Your own. In Jesus' name, amen.

The Father's Love Is for You

As sons and daughters of God, we no longer have to live under the weight of the orphan spirit. God's love is unconditional, His grace is abundant, and His desire for relationship is constant. Let us walk in the freedom of sonship, celebrating the security, love, and purpose found in our heavenly Father.

"I am convinced that any suffering we endure is less than nothing compared to the magnitude of glory that is about to be unveiled within us. The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God's glorious sons and daughters!" (Romans 8:18–19 TPT)

 

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Ryan Johnson
Ryan Johnson Ministries
Email: info@ryanjohnson.us
Website: www.ryanjohnson.us 

Ryan Johnson is dedicated in helping equip the Body of Christ to awaken the nations with a prophetic call of a rising Ekklesia. He is a son of God, husband, and father of four. Ryan has devoted his life to the righteousness of Christ, with the demonstration of the Father's Heart in regions, individuals, and the Church across the world. Ryan is the author of Illegitimacy: The Battle Over Your Identity, How to Contend for Your Miracle, and Racism: The Church and The Nation. He has had many articles released through Charisma Magazine, Charisma News, The Elijah List, and Spirit Fuel. He has also appeared as a guest on The Shaun Tabatt Show, Elijah Streams, Engaging the Supernatural, and Sid Roth's It's Supernatural. Ryan is the host of The Blacksmith Chronicles Podcast, an Instructor at Summit School of Revival, and travels throughout the United States and the Nations as a full-time itinerant minister.

 

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